Your blue heart

Directed by Don Castro

United States
Fiction, narrative drama
English, Tagalog
8:59 mins
San Diego premiere

Queens, New York, circa 2000. It’s just another day for Lito (40+), cooking breakfast in his kitchen. However, today is going to be different: he is expecting a guest – his son, Rey.

While Lito waits for his son’s arrival, he continues with his day, taking his pills, reading the newspaper, and tidying up his apartment. After a while, he realizes that most of the day had already passed, yet, Rey had not arrived. He attempts to call Rey but fails to reach him.

Lito resumes his chores, ironing his clothes for the week. He then hears an object drop in Rey’s room across the hall. Lito wonders if his son had come home. Lito goes to Rey’s room, but no one is there.

Sitting on Rey’s bed, Lito looks around the room, which has toys scattered all over. Lito then looks at a photograph of Rey as a small boy, reminiscing on the passage of time. Suddenly, the toys and various objects in the room disappear, which leaves Lito in an empty, lifeless room.

From the corner of the room appears a young man, Rey. Lito invites Rey to sit with him on the bed. They make peace with what happened between them and their lives.

Next morning, Lito is sleeping on a bare mattress, holding on to Rey’s childhood photograph. He wakes up and looks out of the window, wondering “was it a dream?”

Lito goes back to the kitchen to start another day.

Don Castro is a Manila-born, American actor based in New York City. His resume includes diverse roles spanning theatre, film, and television. Films featuring his work as an actor have screened at festivals in cities worldwide, such as the Toronto International Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, Soho International Film Festival, Manhattan Film Festival, International Film Festival Rotterdam, Cannes’ Short Film Corner, and Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival. Partial Film/TV credits include: “The Goldfinch,” “The Wizard of Lies” (starring Robert De Niro), The Happening,” “Bohemibot” (Student Academy Award Winner), “Power Book II: Ghost,” “Modern Love,” “Pose,” “Marvel’s Daredevil,” “Blue Bloods,” “NYC 22,” and “The Blacklist.” “Your blue heart” is Don’s writing and directorial debut. (www.doncastro.com/yourblueheartfilm)